Well my first foray into DCC just began,UPS delivered my Power Cab a few hours ago.It was quite simple to get my only DCC Train to go and sound like a real train.I really like the Hand controller layout.Programming train ID's seems very easy.My only problem is the Atheren Diesel I got used at my local hobby shop.It has that grinding sound that is just to annoying.The guy said if I did not like it just bring it back and get a new one.I guess I get a Atlas od Broadway limited.One question is that the power cab has no on or off switch that I can find.When I stop the train the train sounds just keeps going.Is their anyway to turn the sound part off or turn the cab off.But other that that I am quite happy at running in DCC.It will take some time to get use to all the paramters settings.But I look forwrad to that.Thanks for all the help here on DCC selection
You turn off the power cab by unplugging it or using a power strip and turning that off.
Good Luck. You'll wish you got it a lot sooner.
Springfield PA
I have been using a Power Cab for over two years mainly because my club uses the Power Pro and I take my controller there and plug in with the four wire cable. I made a eight foot long cable for longer reach. We have plug ins all around the layout.
The instruction book is very helpful also. I decoded to read the book before using the Power Cab. Yes, I know, that is not normal.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
To turn off a unit's sound it is usually the function 8 key and the sound will stop or mute.
Sam
I don't use the PowerCab myself, but most DCC systems have a Track Power On/Off function on the throttle that lets you kill power to the entire layout, is that what you want to do? Otherwise the recommendation to mute with F8 is probably what you want?
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
With the Tsunami decoders, you hit E stop and the prime mover shuts down. Quickly go to speed step one and back to zero to re-start the prime mover and keep the loco from moving.
With the LokSound decoders, hit Function 8 to stop and to start the prime mover.
I followed the decoder instructions from the manuals I found at the manufacturer's website.
Everyone does it differently, the ONLY way to know what to do for different sound decoders is to read the manuals. Usually there is a smaller simplified manual which explains the basic operations including things like mute and startup, and then a more in-depth manual that lists every CV and what they control. For locos that come with a sound decoder, they usually only provide the basic operations manual. The rest can be downloaded from the decoder manufacturer's web site.
You're going to wish you made this purchase 2 years ago. Or maybe not after your first accidental crash.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I have had my PowerCab for a year now and wish I had it a lot sooner. Like others have said, the only way to turn off the track power is to turn off the entire system by unplugging. Don't worry, it's not like a computer that needs to go through shut down procedures.
You are right about one, it will take some time to get used to it. I have talked to people who have been in DCC for about 10 years and they still have to refer back to additional information.
Will
rrinkerUsually there is a smaller simplified manual which explains the basic operations including things like mute and startup,
The Tsunami decoders have an interesting startup sequence. The problem is that you have to get the engine totally shut down in order to do the restart. For some reason the simplified manual that comes with the decoder (at least the one I saw) does not discuss how to do this. You have to go on line and wade through the seemingly 100 page document to find the part that says to push the emergency stop button one time with an NCE system to do the shutdown. I don't know why they forgot to include this particular piece of important information.
Probably didn;t want to call attention to the fact that in yet another thing, they missed the boat compared to most other sound decoders, namely a simple shut down/start up sequence triggered by a function key. Not sure about NCE, but with Digitrax the estop button can be configured one fo two ways - 'local' only which means it only affects the loco you are controlling, or 'global' which means the e-stop stops every train on the layout - handy in a large layotu or club situation if someone lets their train get out of sight and doesn't see it heading for the open access gate or into someone else's train. As long as you stick with the local configuration, you can do the shutdown/startup on Tsunami but if yu've reconfigured for the global mode, it's not too practical.